Continue with CFAI text or shift to Schweser?

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unni1114

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I know I might be repeating an oft-asked question but here goes anyway. I would like some advice from all if it makes sense to go with CFAI text books or shift to Scheweser if I were to give myself the best chance of making it through. I am just about done with Volume 1 of the CFAI text and the going has been agonizingly slow.
Would really appreciate some guidance
 
The material is slow because there’s a lot more of a qualtative spin on this level versus Level- I & II. It is NOT much better in Schweser, although there is less material to read - not sure if that is a plus or a minus.
It’s already Mid-February, suggest keep cracking on with the CFAI books due to time. I personally have already finished the Schweser material and will be doing my “final” studies through CFAI.
 
Thanks Galli. Appreciate your advice. Great going. Wish you luck
 
If you have the time, do both. From my past experience, Schweser is very good, but it did not cover 100% of the questions shown on my L1/2 exam.
Agree with Galli, going through either one is not fast. I’ve done Schweser once, now on CFAI. The explanations and examples in CFAI books do make more sense to me (most of the time). I also refer back to L1/2 books when I don’t understand something. But it adds even more time.
 
Thanks pablosdad. Appreciate your advice too. I wonder how people remember all of it. Really requires some serious drilling into the head
 
I don’t think you can lean on Schweser too heavily for Level III. The CFAI text isn’t too burdensome when compared to previous levels.
If you do use CFAI text, you should still leave plenty of time for practicing previous AM (essay) tests. I’ve been dabbling with some of these individual and institutional IPS essay questions and it’s not easy. People should really acclimate themselves to these types of questions b/c it’s very different from the multiple choice stuff.
 
I’m with Tommy83. You can use Schweser if you want, but you need to do every blue box question in the CFAI text. That’s where the exam questions come from. You might also find that these questions test material not covered in Schweser
Level 3 has many shades of gray that are discussed in detail in the texts. That’s why it goes slow. It’s very hard to distil the material into review notes.
 
I don’t really agree. You can use Schweser, it covers the high level stuff, has plenty of detail to link concepts, and is still more concise than CFA-I.
Best practice, I’d agree with stratman you can/should do the CFAI blue box questions, but it’s not 100% necessary
 
My personal experience has not been good switching from CFAI and Schweser midway, I failed my first attempt partitially for the same reason. It was taking too long to go through the CFAI book and I wanted a shortcut to work. It didn’t.
I think the key is to not give up on the CFAI books. Or read third party notes but do CFAI blue boxes and EOCs together.
 
I honestly don’t understand how this question gets asked so often. CFAI is the one that writes the test, administers the test, and grades the test. Why anyone would neglect to use the study materials that THEY provide you is beyond rational explanation.
 
Topperharley wrote:
I honestly don’t understand how this question gets asked so often. CFAI is the one that writes the test, administers the test, and grades the test. Why anyone would neglect to use the study materials that THEY provide you is beyond rational explanation.
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i personally know more people that passed L3 using only schweser without going through cfai materials so I know for a fact it can be done. It does cut out a lot of the minutia, but with that being said, I’m still sticking with my plan of using both!
 
Thank you all for weighing in with your thoughts. I have decided to go with CFAI text as any change of plan at this time appears highly ill-advised. Gotta just knuckle down and grit it out. Hopefully should yield a positive outcome. Wish luck and success to all. Godbless
 
Don’t burry your head in the sand. You’ve got about 1800 pages to read in just about 65 days(to finish mid april). So, that’s about 30 pages per night…not missing any nights. If you don’t think you can make that happen then you’ll have to rely on Schweser…otherwise arrive at the test unprepared.
To give yourself a fighting chance you need to do about 6 practice exams, and lots to memorize and review. So make sure you’re on track.
Personally I just made the switch mid way thru book three. I was falling off schedule with lifes demands. So I’m onto Schweser. The CFAI does provide for more depth of understanding and I realize that. But there is a lot of wasted time reading fluff that will never make it to the exam.
I’m doing CFAI blue box and EOC, plus Schweser text and EOC, and Schweser class notes and questions. Plus hopefully 8 practice exams. So, I’m not looking for a shortcut, but instead making sure that I have time for the practice exams…and don’t get mired in CFAI textbooks.
Good Luck!!!
 
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